Can I flush the toilet during a septic backup?

No. Every flush adds water that has nowhere to go. Hold off on all water use until a septic company has found and fixed the problem.

Why did my system back up after heavy rain?

Saturated soil can stop a drain field from absorbing water, and surface water can seep into tanks and lids. The system may recover as the ground dries, but repeated problems after rain point to a drain field or drainage issue that should be inspected.

Should I call a plumber or a septic company?

If only one fixture is slow, a plumber may clear the clog. If several drains are slow or backing up, or there is an alarm or odor near the tank, call a septic company.

Is SepticTank.com the company that comes out?

No. SepticTank.com connects you with an independent local septic company that serves Nokomis. That company provides the service and sets its own prices and availability.

Septic Backup or Alarm in Nokomis? Get Help Fast

When a septic system fails suddenly, homeowners in Nokomis need two things: to keep the problem from spreading and to get a qualified crew on site. Most emergencies trace back to a full tank, a clogged line or a failed pump.

A local company that works across Montgomery County can find the cause, pump the tank if needed and get your plumbing working again.

Keep the problem from getting worse

The fastest way to limit damage is to stop sending water into the system. Ask everyone in the house to hold off on showers, flushing and laundry. If wastewater is surfacing outdoors, keep the area clear. If the power went out and you have a pump system, the chamber may simply have filled while the pump was off. Limit water use until power returns and the pump catches up, and call if the alarm keeps sounding.

Common causes of septic emergencies

A tank that is overdue for pumping is the most common cause. Other frequent culprits include a clogged line between the house and the tank or a blocked outlet baffle or filter. A failed pump or a drain field that can no longer absorb water can also cause a sudden backup. Heavy rain can make a struggling drain field fail suddenly. Tree roots, crushed pipes and items like wipes or grease also cause blockages.

High water alarms explained

A high water alarm tells you wastewater is rising above where it should be in a pump or treatment tank. The cause might be a stuck float, a failed pump, a tripped breaker or more water coming in than the system can handle. Silencing the alarm is fine, but the underlying problem still needs attention. Tell the septic company what type of system you have and the brand on the control panel if you can see it.

What the septic company will do

Expect the crew to ask questions first, then locate the tank and check the water level. If the tank is full, they will pump it so the house can drain. With the tank open, they can see whether the outlet, filter or baffles are blocked, and whether water is flowing back from the drain field, which points to a field problem. For pump systems they will test the pump, float and panel. You should get a clear explanation of the cause and your options.

Avoiding another septic emergency

Regular pumping, an effluent filter cleaned at each visit, and care about what goes down the drains prevent most emergencies. Fix leaking toilets and faucets, keep roof water away from the tank and field, and know where your tank lid is so a crew can reach it quickly if something does go wrong.

Questions to ask when you call

Ask how soon a crew can arrive and whether there is an extra charge for after-hours service. Ask whether they can pump and diagnose on the same trip. Confirm they work on your type of system, especially if you have a pump, aerobic unit or mound. After the visit, ask for a written summary of what failed, what was done and what still needs attention.

A septic backup in Montgomery County

If a backup happens in Montgomery County, the first priority is keeping sewage out of living space and away from people. After that, a pumper can relieve the tank and find the cause. If the drain field turns out to be failing, the Montgomery County health department may need to be involved in the repair.

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Nokomis

Most mapped soils near Nokomis are rated very limited for septic absorption, so a drain field that is already working hard can back up quickly when something else goes wrong. June is usually the wettest month in Nokomis, and backups tend to rise when the ground stays soaked. About 2 months below freezing each year also bring the risk of frozen lines, especially in shallow pipes or homes left empty.

Local conditions in Nokomis that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Nokomis, the USDA soil survey rates 89% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 11% as somewhat limited and 0% as not limited. The most common drainage class is somewhat poorly drained. Soils like these often call for careful system design, such as a larger drain field, a mound or another engineered system, and a site evaluation before any new installation or replacement.

Nokomis averages about 42 inches of precipitation a year, and June is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 2 months a year, with January averaging 27°F, so tank lids and shallow lines benefit from a layer of snow or mulch rather than being cleared bare.

Sources: USDA NRCS Soil Survey (SSURGO), Soil Data Access; NASA POWER long-term climatology. Soil ratings describe mapped soil types near the city center and do not replace a site evaluation of your property.

What the soil around Nokomis means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Nokomis as 38% somewhat poorly drained, 27% well drained, 19% poorly drained, 13% moderately well drained, 2% very poorly drained. Backups and wet spots are most common after heavy rain, and with 59% of the soil poorly drained the ground here can stay saturated for days, so it helps to know where your tank lid and cleanout are before you need them.

Source: USDA NRCS Soil Survey (SSURGO), Soil Data Access

Septic companies near Nokomis

These are the septic companies in our directory closest to Nokomis, with straight-line distance. Call any of them directly, or send one request and we will pass it to the best match.

Wiseman Septic Tank Service, Virden, IL, 30.5 mi
Finfrock Backhoe Service, Rochester, IL, 32.7 mi
Wasson Septic Service, Shumway, IL, 35.2 mi
Jayco Construction, Chatham, IL, 38.0 mi
Ron Spickerman Excavating, Bunker Hill, IL, 38.1 mi
Frank's Septic Tank Service, Pocahontas, IL, 38.3 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

We also cover emergency septic service in these towns near Nokomis:

Pana, 12.3 mi
Hillsboro, 13.2 mi
Taylorville, 18.2 mi
Assumption, 19.7 mi

About Nokomis, IL

Nokomis is in Montgomery County, Illinois. About 2,091 people live there, across 1.3 square miles of land (about 1,656 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Nokomis

Can I flush the toilet during a septic backup?: No. Every flush adds water that has nowhere to go. Hold off on all water use until a septic company has found and fixed the problem.
Why did my system back up after heavy rain?: Saturated soil can stop a drain field from absorbing water, and surface water can seep into tanks and lids. The system may recover as the ground dries, but repeated problems after rain point to a drain field or drainage issue that should be inspected.
Should I call a plumber or a septic company?: If only one fixture is slow, a plumber may clear the clog. If several drains are slow or backing up, or there is an alarm or odor near the tank, call a septic company.
Is SepticTank.com the company that comes out?: No. SepticTank.com connects you with an independent local septic company that serves Nokomis. That company provides the service and sets its own prices and availability.